Occupational Therapist – Neurology

• Permanent Full time 1.0FTE (40 hours per week)
• Based at Burwood Campus

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

Exciting opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our team within the inpatient's Neurology Service based at Burwood Hospital. In this role you will work with patients to enable optimum safety and function during this phase of their recovery. You’ll work with clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and need to bring your holistic skills, enthusiasm and passion to achieve the best outcome for your patients.

This role works with our over 65 age patient group  who have sustained neurological events affecting the brain/ head. Admission to this service is for ongoing assessment and rehabilitation is generally following a stroke or similar event. The role works within the MDT to provide intervention to support a return to independence and safe discharge, ongoing treatment in on a 1:1 basis or in a group setting with a focus on a return to function in ADL , roles and reintegration into the community. 

You will carry your own clinical caseload and work within a collaborative team of health professionals. Burwood Hospital offers the opportunity to be part of both the ward team and the wider Occupational Therapy Department and take the opportunities to access professional development through, in-service training and clinical supervision.

You will be responsible for:

• Undertaking Occupational Therapy assessments and developing and implementing treatment plans, considered within a holistic approach
• Providing education and resource, where appropriate, to the client and their family/whanau, as well as the wider team
• Prioritising, organising and managing a case load while allocating time appropriately

About You

We are seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist who will be able to demonstrate your excellent communication skills and build rapport with patients and their whānau. To be successful in this role you will demonstrate the following: 

• Comprehensive clinical assessment and problem-solving skills, with experience in Neuro-rehabilitation
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Work flexibly within the team, with a team player attitude
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to liaise effectively with health professionals both within the in-patient services and in the community
• Strong clinical reasoning skills and use of evidence informed practice
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Strong prioritisation skills and experience with complex discharge planning
• A positive attitude and enthusiasm for this area of work
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth 
• Registration with the NZ Occupational Therapy Board and current Annual Practicing Certificate
• As local travel is required, a full driver’s license is essential

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellnesses'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Sunday 25th May. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz